University Of New Haven Researchers Expose Vulnerabilities in Popular Apps, Draw Worldwide Attention

UNH computer security researchers have drawn global attention over the past two weeks by revealing security vulnerabilities in two popular messaging apps that together have more than 600 million users worldwide. The University of New Haven Cyber Forensics Research & Education Group, led by assistant professor Ibrahim “Abe” Baggili, revealed a vulnerability in the popular WhatsApp messaging software, then just a few days later revealed multiple vulnerabilities in the popular Viber chat app, a competitor to WhatsApp, demonstrating that not only is information uploaded via the app not encrypted when sent to Viber’s servers, but it is stored on those servers in that unencrypted state as well.